U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

In 2014 a U.S.-led coalition began a campaign of airstrikes in Iraq and Syria – officially known as Operation Inherent Resolve – following the capture of large swathes of the countries by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). An intense air and ground campaign drove ISIS out of almost all territory by 2018 but resulted in significant destruction and loss of life.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from U.S.-led Coalition strikes and has conducted numerous major investigations and research papers on the topic.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

8,220 – 13,294

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the U.S.-led Coalition. These originate from 2,984 separate alleged incidents.

1,725 – 2,367
children likely killed
1,123 – 1,464
women likely killed
5,904
likely injured
3,757
named victims

U.S.-led Coalition estimate of civilian deaths

1,454

Confirmed civilian deaths, from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria, originating from 360 separate incidents of civilian harm.

402
civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
19,182 – 29,761
Locally reported civilian deaths from U.S.-led Coalition actions in Iraq and Syria.
2,984 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
8,220 – 13,294
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by U.S.-led Coalition
1,538 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
2,391 – 2,815
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
434 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
7,870 – 12,564
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
778 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
696 – 1,083
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
233 seperate alleged incidents

Civilian Casualty Incidents — U.S.-led Coalition in Iraq & Syria

Start Date

End Date

Strike Type

Causes of Death / Injury

Strike Status

Civilian Harm Status

Belligerent Assessment

Casualty

Infrastructure

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2981 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

19 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1034

Location

الطب الحديث, Al Toubb al Hadith, Raqqa, Syria
Two civilian males were reportedly killed in the Al Toub al Hadith area of Raqqa, allegedly by ‘SDF’ artillery fire into the city, though US forces were likely responsible. A number of local sources identified the victims, and The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the second victim was killed in Nour Street. Eight…

Summary

Published
19 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

19 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1035

Location

الرقة‎, Raqqa, Raqqa, Syria
One civilian male was killed following alleged ‘SDF’ shelling into Raqqa city. The victim was named as Mohammed al Kasbah by a number of sources and a photo of him was provided. Four of five of the sources who reported the incident alleged that the US-backed SDF was responsible. However, only the Coalition reports using…

Summary

Published
19 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1026

Location

نزلة شحادة, Nazlat Shahada, Raqqa, Syria
Local sources reported that “several” civilians were killed and injured after morning airstrikes allegedly carried out by the Coalition in Raqqa, in the Two Bridges area. All five sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details were reported. In February 2019, the Coalition assessed this event to be non-credible.…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1027

Location

الفردوس, Fardous, Raqqa, Syria
Two children were killed and seven people were wounded following alleged Coalition airstrikes near the al Nawawi mosque in Raqqa. All four sources who reported the incident alleged that the Coalition was responsible. No further details are presently known. In June 2019 the Coalition announced that it had assessed this allegation of civilian harm as…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
2
Civilians reported injured
7
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1028

Location

تل الجاير, Tall al-Jayer, Al Hassakah, Syria
At least 10 and as many 12 civilians – which included women and children, all from one family – were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on Tal al Jayer village near the Syrian-Iraqi border. Thawra Tahrir al Sham also reported that “many” others were injured. All seven sources which reported the strikes alleged that…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
10–12
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

18 June 2017

Incident Code

CS1029

Location

العلوه, Al Alwa, Al Hassakah, Syria
Five civilians, including three children, were reportedly killed in alleged Coalition airstrikes on al Awla village, also known as Jalal, 25km southeast of Ash Shaddadi. Hasakh News identified five victims; two men in their 50s, and three children of one of the men - two girls and one boy. All six sources who reported on the…

Summary

Published
18 June 2017
Civilians reported killed
5
Military Actor
U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident